Latch with bail-type mounting

Abstract

The present invention is a pawl latch which is adapted to be mounted to a first member, such as a closure panel of drawer face plate for releasably retaining the closure panel against an enclosure. Such drawer is suitable for implementing an electronic module which plugs into the backplane of the enclosure. The latch has spring-assisted engagement and disengagement of its pawl with the edge of an enclosure opening against which the pawl operates. This results in spring-assisted inject and eject functions for connecting and disconnecting any associate backplane connection. The latch is low profile with a narrow footprint and has an EMI and ESD event preventive coating on the surface of the housing and appropriate components thereof. A pull handle is substantially flush with the outside face of the latch housing and cooperates with a button spring activator member, when the handle is in the closed position.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The subject matter of this application relates to the invention disclosed in, and claims benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 295,179, titled, Pawl Inject / Eject Latch, filed Jun. 1, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 371,527, titled, Sliding Panel Latch, filed Apr. 9, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to a latch for releasably securing a first member relative to a second member. The first member moves at least partially relative to the second member resulting in a secured position.[0003]Latches are used to releasably secure panels, covers, doors, drawers, electronic modules, glove boxes, and the like to other generally larger structures, such as housings, compartments, doorframes, panel fronts, frames, racks and other structures. These latches are mounted by various means, including screws, rivets, blade fasteners, spring clips, stake fasteners and other structures. Each latch generally includes a h...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]In its application, the inject-eject pawl latch is mounted to a first member, such as a closure panel for releasably retaining the closure panel against an enclosure. More specifically, this panel forms the face of a drawer-type module usually, including an electronic component carrying circuit board. The latch housing can receive a plurality of pins, wherein the handle and pawl members are mounted for rotational movement. The handle is substantially flush with the housing and is in contact with a button member in the closed position. The button releases the pull handle and results in a spring assisted activation of the opening of the pull handle and the disengagement of the pawl from its engagement with the enclosure. The movement of the handle, button member and pawl member are biased by a central torsion spring whose operation is permitted by the rotation of a release plate. This release plate's rotation is created by depressing the button. The materials are usually constructed of a metal material but some plastic parts can be used. The housing and appropriate components have s surface coating to reduce or eliminate EMI and ESD effects.

Problems solved by technology

Previous latches have presented problems that make them difficult or impractical to use to mount and hold removable electronic modules or communications / power distribution drawers.

Specifically, these latches do not provide an adequate user (operator) finger grasping surface to pull open.

The force necessary to open these latches and thereby disengage an electrical connector is substantial enough to cause discomfort to the fingers, when a user attempted to release the latch, i.e., to open the pull member.

Furthermore, the prior electronic module latches do not consider electromagnetic interference, nor do they consider shielding against such interference, nor did they provide sufficient restraint during a physical shock.

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